But can Nigerian laws be amended to accommodate filing of lawsuits in pseudonyms to protect the identity of the applicant? So, to save such situations, Nigeria should adopt such rules in civil procedure as will enable suits under anonymity or pseudonyms in deserving cases. “It is most common in cases of trespass to property by unknown persons. The property owner sues the trespassers simply as “Unknown Persons.” Following the American system, this rule should be extended to avail plaintiffs in appropriate cases. For Bar Abdulwasiu Esuola, Nigeria can work out a procedure for the conduct of anonymous trials beginning with ‘documents-only’ proceedings with desiring parties using pseudonyms.

Source: The Guardian June 29, 2021 04:18 UTC